In the aftermath of Israeli strikes that killed nearly 500 people in Lebanon, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the Lebanese people directly, urging them not to act as “human shields” for Hezbollah. The strikes, part of Israel’s ongoing military operations, have intensified as violence spreads from Gaza to the northern border with Lebanon.
Here are the key points:
•Netanyahu’s Message: In a video shared online, Netanyahu emphasized that Israel’s conflict is with Hezbollah, not the people of Lebanon. He accused the militant group of placing rockets in civilian homes and vowed to remove these weapons to protect Israeli citizens.
•The Israeli Prime Minister urged Lebanese civilians to heed warnings from the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) and evacuate areas where Hezbollah has positioned missiles. “Don’t let Hezbollah endanger your lives and your country,” Netanyahu said.
•The IDF launched “Operation Northern Arrows,” targeting Hezbollah strongholds in southern and eastern Lebanon, with one strike hitting the capital, Beirut. This is the largest escalation of cross-border violence since the Gaza war last year.
•Rising Casualties: Lebanon’s health ministry, led by Hezbollah, reported 492 casualties, including 35 children and 58 women. Over 1,600 people have been wounded, and thousands of families displaced.
•Hezbollah Retaliation: Hezbollah has responded by firing rockets at Israeli military sites, claiming it has entered a “new phase” of confrontation. The group confirmed that an elite commander was killed in an Israeli strike on southern Beirut last week.
•Cross-border violence follows a deadly series of explosions across Lebanon, which Hezbollah has blamed on Israeli forces. These blasts killed at least 39 people and injured nearly 3,000.
•Arab states and global powers have condemned the strikes, urging both Israel and Hezbollah to de-escalate. Despite this, both sides remain defiant, refusing to retreat from the conflict.
As tensions continue to rise, the international community is watching closely, with calls for restraint from both Israel and Hezbollah amid fears of a broader conflict.
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